BAGUIO CITY – Residents assailed installation
of sporadic checkpoints in this summer capital saying these worsened heavy
traffic aside from needlessly making motorists inconvenienced.
But the Baguio City
Police Office said checkpoints are being done anytime so lawless elements will
not compromise the peaceful and orderly situation of the city.
Senior Supt. Ramil L.
Saculles, BCPO director expressed disappointment over negative comments being
hurled against them in conduct of police checkpoint operations.
Police manning the
checkpoints have been accused of singling out motorcycles. Saculles said such
perceptions were untrue and unfair to policemen who are just doing their jobs.
The BCPO official said
motorcycles have visible violations like no license plate numbers and no
driver's license for those on board that is why police officers manning
checkpoints apprehend them.
For other vehicles,
Saculles said it is difficult for the police to detect violations of motorists
because what is only allowed is plain view search.
According to him, the
conduct of mobile and stationary police checkpoints have been installed due to
orders from President Rodrigo R. Duterte to ensure that diversionary tactics of
terrorists outside Mindanao could be prevented and to make sure the city will
remain a safe place to work, study, live and do business.
He said cops in
checkpoints have been trained to uphold interest of the public and that they
will strictly enforce the law without fear or favor.
Saculles said checkpoints
are in accordance with guidelines from higher authorities to prevent complaints
from the public that checkpoints are done to sow fear among the residents which
is not the case.
He urged the public to
report to the nearest police stations any doubtful activities of
suspicious-looking individuals in their barangays so they can immediately
respond with the appropriate evaluation and validation by the policemen on the
ground for action by concerned authorities.-- Dexter A. See
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